Obsession Du Jour 11.29.09: NARS LUXOR

Hello beautiful readers! How was thanksgiving for the US ladies? I hope everyone had lots of turkey and stuffing!

Anyway onto makeup... I have read many mixed reviews on this from people loving this to loathing it. However, I must say I am on the lover side. This might be my favorite ever highlighter.

For me, the texture of this stick is amazing, so creamy and turns into a powder on your skin so it leaves a shimmer and iridescence no shine or grease marks. I used MAC's cream color bases alot and I like them but they are a bit oily and wear off in about an hour. Nars stays put because it is less emollient. The color is very very unique on me, right no I am very fair it comes across as an Opal pink shine. It is similar to actually pink opal pigment but not as over the top and shimmery. This is a very subtle gorgeous highlighter with a fantastic formulation. I also just absolutely love the convenience of the stick. I throw it in my bag and go. I have been using this on my eyelids and a fresh awakening color and on my lips as a pale shimmery lip. Both ways are working great for me.

I apply this one of two ways, first I put moisturizer on and apply straight from the stick onto the high planes of my face and then put make up on as usual. This leaves a subtle luminescence that looks liked it is coming from within. The second way is the normal way of just either using it from the stick or using my fingers to highlight along the cheekbone. This looks more obvious, but sometimes that is what I am going for!

The NARS multiples are one of my favorite products ever though, I have been a loyal lover since about 9th grade (a long time ago!). I love the concept of throwing a stick in your bag and to be used for varios reasons, just makes sense for me!

Compared left to right: MAC cream color base in Pearl, Jemma Kid Highlighter in Rose gold and NARS Multiple in Luxor

Have you tried this yet? Thoughts?

Inspiration Du Jour 11.27.09

My favorite movie of all time is Breakfast at Tiffanys. I love the character Holly GoLightly. The carefree whimsical woman. If I could be anyone in the world obviously including ficticious characters it would be her!

Breakfast at Tiffanys was originally a novella written by Truman Capote. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is without a doubt one of the most well-loved classics of its time. Fashion designers today are still trying to achieve that perfect “little black dress” look that Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly carries of so well in this movie. This movie's plot is not very straightforward.

They film has truly become iconic, mostly because of Edith Head, one of Hollywood’s top costume designers, ability to capture the essence of Holly Golightly’s character a new york socialiate, careless, whimsical, silly and endearing.

I think many females can identify with Holly’s search for a life of her own. And what woman does not want to simply stand and gaze into the windows at Tiffany’s?

Breakfast at Tiffany’s was nominated for 5 Oscars in 1962 including Best Actress, Best Writing (the movies was based on a novella by Truman Capote), and Best Music, Original Song (for the classic “Moon River” sung by Hepbun in the film).

Hepburn is fantastic as usual and Peppard is great as a leading man.

I find endless inspiration in Audrey Hepburn and this movie. If you have not seen this movie I strongly urge you to watch this over and over and over, like I do!

November Favorites 11.25.09

I have noticed these Monthly Favorites posts. I really love reading other peoples so I figured I would do mine. I will do two posts for this. One monthly staples and one month favorites... Does that even make sense? My staples are what I have been using every day and cant live without for the month, but that may not be my monthly favorites? Maybe I should just keep it simple and do my favorites! What do you all think?

Monthly Favorites:

- MSFN in Medium- This is a staple

- NARS Laguna Bronzer- Another staple

- MAC 227 Brush- this is my favorite eye brush, its magic!

- MAC e/s in SMUT- I am considering this a staple, perfect brown for me, as a liner, lid color, crease color...everything. perfect

- MAC Blush in SuperDuper Natural

- Jemma Kid Rose Gold Creme Highlighter

-MAC Cream Color base in Pearl

- DDF Glycolic Toner

- Body Shops Coconut Oil Hair Balm

- NARS Luxor Multiple- review coming up. LOVING THIS!

- Neosporin Overnight Lip Treatment- hg material right here

- NARS Jungle Red Lipstick.

I would love to hear what you are all loving this month. Please comment below!

Shu Du Jour 11.25.09

Shu Uemura has quickly become one of my favorite brands. My favorite ever lipstick is from Shu. I just found out there is a black friday discount. I will be using this to pick up another one of my favorite lipsticks (BG907) and maybe a few other lipsticks. There are quite a few things on my wish list from Shu.

My Wishlist:

Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in PK306 and BD9100

Rouge Unlimited Creme Matte in PK320M

Rouge Unlimited in 128 and my beloved BG907.

Eyeshadow in ME990 (Gunmetal Black)- Always out of stock on Sephora!

20% off purchases of $50+, plus free shipping. Use code WISH09. 11/27 to 12/1.

Will anyone be checking these out?

Daily Inspiration Du Jour 11.24.09

Loving these photos... there is definitely a common thread.

DEAL ALERT: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows

I love the brand Benefit, I love the cute packaging and the great products. I have been dying to try out the Creaseless Cream Shadows forever but I just never got around to it. I was in Sephora and I saw an AMAZING deal, two shadows for $10. I was in shock, usually they are around $19.

I grabbed them without even looking at the colors, thankfully both are neutral colors which I have been using EVERY day since I got them. The packaging on these are wonderful. I love the birds and the glass jars.




I grabbed them without even looking at the colors, thankfully both are neutral colors which I have been using EVERY day since I got them. The packaging on these are wonderful. I love the birds and the glass jars.

The product itself is a bit creamier than MAC's paint pots, a bit lighter in formulation. I am loving these right now, I even have been wearing recess alone just to even out skin tone and lighten the color a teeniest amount!

Painterly by MAC is a staple of mine, I love the color it matches great, evens skin tone on eyes and keeps shadow lasting all day. For me, these are the same thing. I got two skin toned colors. Recess is the one that is a closer match to me right now in the winter, Honey bunny will be perfect for summer. I am very happy with this purchase.

L to R: Recess and Honey Bunny

Recess on Left, Honey Bunny on Right, Painterly by MAC on the bottom.

Left to Right: Painterly by MAC, Recess, Honey Bunny

Top to Bottom: Honey Bunny, Recess and Painterly by MAC

This is a FANTASTIC deal!! Will you be getting these? Which are your favorite colors in the line?

Happy Birthday from Sephora!

Friday was my 25th birthday! I got this little lipgloss set from Sephora. Too bad I can not stand the smell of them, they smell like Dr. Pepper and I hate Dr. Pepper. The colors are very pretty though and not sticky!

What is your favorite Sephora Brand Lipgloss?

Bits and Bobs (Sephora, Mac and Drugstore) Du Jour 11.21

A few things I have collected over the past month (some new things and some replacements).... In depth reviews all coming up next week.

Fun!!

Sephora by OPI... The 212

I am not a crazy nail polish person, probably because of in times of stress I bite my fingernails right off! Anyway, when my nails are looking nice I do like nail polish, this color I found the other day while perusing Sephora. Well, actually, Steph found it, she has a magnetic pull towards anything with glitter in it. They were all sold out on the floor, but then the sephora lady pulled out a bin from the back! Anyway, we both got this color. I love it.

Its a black opaque base (not a wishy washy jelly base) laden with micro fine rainbow glitter. There is also some larger bits of sparkles throughout as well. This polish is very opaque, 2 coats and you are good to go with glittery goodness.

Anyone check this out yet?

r.i.p Daul Kim

I hate hearing about lives cut way too short.




This was her blog http://iliketoforkmyself.blogspot.com/
Daul Kim, international model 1989- 2009, found dead in her Paris Apt. RIP.

Amazing Cosmetics Du Jour 11.19.09

I am very new to this product line. I found it while perusing sephora in Soho during one lunch hour. It had the allure stamp of approval and usually I wind up liking most products with the winning Allure stamp. Anyway, before I took the plunge and bought this concealer (one of the most expensive concealers I have ever tried) I read some reviews, there are not that many on this cosmetic line but they seemed good and I decided to go for it.

I snatched up the mini size for $28 , even that is a lot for this little tube, the bigger one is $42. Anyway, after spending so much on a tiny tube I was expecting major things from this! I picked up the color Medium Beige. This is the perfect color for me. I do think the color range is very limited though. Check it out here... sephora

My review? I have mixed feelings, I think it is WAY too expensive for what it is. However, I really kinda love it! It is creamy and never cakey, the peach undertone conceals the blue in my under eye circles very well. It never settles into my fine lines or cakes up which is SUPER important. I would definitley re-purchase this when i run out because I really do like it! The application is tricky because you literally need one DOT for under your whole eye area. it is very concentrated and pigmented. if you would more then this then it would be cakey and thick. I use the size of a q-tip head. Also this conserves the product. I use my CVS make up brush and dot it under my eyes and blend it.

Has anyone else tried this brand? I do not want to recommend it because of the sheer insanity of how expensive it is but it is really great, but i would recommend that there is another discount code for sephora to grab this baby!

Skincare du Jour: DDF 11.17.09

During the friends and family sale i picked up two new products that I have heard about but have never tried from DDF. I know the brand is a very reputable skin care brand. I wanted to try these two things for some while before reviewing. It is safe to say i will never be without them again. I absolutely love them. I picked up the Glycolic 10% Toning Complex ($35) and the Sulfur Therapeutic Mask ($38). Let me tell you a little about each one first and then I will get into the results.

Lets talk about the Glycolic toning complex.

The packaging is very clean and sterile, plain but that is how I like my skin care. This is a toner, meant to be used after your cleanser. I put this on a cotton pad and wipe all over my face. At first there is a slight tingle and then it feels cooling, i love how it feels. the best part is the result, after one night of using it i noticed a difference. After two weeks there has been a major improvement in the texture and quality of my skin. It has been unbelievably smoother, refined and more moisturized. Over time it also helps with fine lines which i love!

From DDF's website:

"Formulated with glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid known to help increase surface cellular turnover. Promotes clarity and immediately revitalizes skin’s appearance.

• Minimizes appearance of wrinkle lines
• Refines skin texture
• Visibly decreases look of pore size"

Next lets talk about the Sulfur Mask, this is more of a treatment.

This is similar to Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask. However, this one is stronger and weirdly enough smells amazing! I love it. It is expensive but it will last you FOREVER, it is HUGE. Anyway, this stuff is amazing, you can use it as an overnight spot treatment or a mask. I had a spot one night, a big ugly red one, i put this on overnight and in the morning it was not painful and half the size. I wont like it wasn't magic it didn't disappear (never happens) but this made a MAJOR improvement!

From DDF's website:

"A clay mask or spot treatment with sulfur and purified clays to absorb oil and help keep pores clear.

• Absorbs oil
• Helps keep pores clear
• Clears blemishes"

I would recommend both of these products highly to oily skinned or dry skinned people. I have very dry skin and this has not dried it out and all. Actually the Glycolic toner has moisturized by skin and prepped it to absorb moisturizer even better.

Please let me know if any of you all have tried out this brand and what you think. I will never be without these products again!

Kitten Du Jour 11.14.09

I am surprisingly disappointed with Kitten smudgepot.

I can not exactly pin point why I am so eh about this product. It is a decent product, it stays on your lids very well. The color is not as great as the powder version of the shadow. I think that is maybe why I am not in love with it. The powder version is an intense frost and really gives this high watt sheen. I did not get the same result from the smudge pot. This reminds me a lot of bare study paint pot. The only really great thing about the smudge pot is it wears well, does not budge through out the day, other than that I am underwhelmed. I do however want to still try 24k Golden Noir Smudge pot.

Has anyone else tried this? Any thoughts?

On another note, I have a ton of new things to review, I have been a very bad girl and have been buying lots of things that I do not need, well...I do need them but a sane not make up addicted person would disagree!

Urban Decay Du Jour 11.13.09

Urban Decay's friends and family sale is going on right now. Is there anything you guys have been eye-ing up? I am a big fan of Urban Decay, I love what they stand for, cruelty free makeup. I love the name and I have loved it since I bought my first eyeshadow from them back in like 8th grade. I also have a faint memory of buying something with the name mildew...nail polish maybe?

I am trying to hold myself back from ordering but that obviously will not work.

What I have been wanting and will be ordering...
- Lipstick in Revolution, I am loving red lately and this one looks very glossy.
- Creme Shadow in Rodeo Cowboy (Asphalt, I wanted this but saw an awful review on chunkiness).
- 24/7 Liner in Underground

I am sure you have read about the code, but in case you havent here it is... FNFW1

I just love taupes, anything with the name taupe gets me...
Any insight into any of these products? I will post again when I receive.

New Favorite Brush du jour 11.12.09

Who would have thought...
This is the Sephora Platinum 55 I believe? It is the powder brush.

I LOVE IT. It is so soft and well made. I have been just running it over and over my face for no reason besides the fact it feels so nice!

I have been using it to set my makeup with my MSFN, bronzer and put on blush. It is perfect for blush. I am a huge fan of this brush as you can tell from my gushing. It is just so much softer than any other brush I own. It is a paddle cut brush and comes to a slight pointed edge which I love because I can use it to contour as well. Basically for my face I could live with just having this one brush. It is synthetic and has an antibacterial coating on the bristles which i like the idea of.



Has anyone else tried the Sephora Platinum line?

Buying Biz trip in London Help du Jour 11.11.09

I am going to London for Work (Buying and Sales appts) next week and I don't want to stay at the Sanderson or St. Martins Lane again.

Do any of you UK ladies have a good suggestion? I am looking for elegant and luxurious. We are holding sales appointments, the fashion director of Selfridge's and Harrods will be there so it has to be nice....

Preferably in Knightsbrigde...

Any ideas?

Nars Multiples Du Jour 11.11.09

During the friends and family sephora sale I snagged one of these sets. I love NARS multiples SO much. I think they are a fantastic multi purpose product. Anyway, on to the set, it is a great deal for $40 (One normal Multiple is $37). You get Orgasm, South Beach and Copacabana.

This set is GREAT for trying out a bunch of colors. Although VALUE wise It is not so hot. You get a little bit of product for each multiple. Since the Multiple is a emollient product it will go very fast. I think in total you get a little bit under the the amount combined if you were to buy a full multiple. I am happy I bought this because I would never use up a whole South beach as it is a shimmery bronzer (nice for summer though!). I am loving orgasm, and this is my second Copacabana. One of my favorite all time products!

Anyway, these little guys are SO CUTE!

Comparing the size of a full sized multiple for the mini...

Pushed all the way up

Colors swatched.

With Flash.

Next on my list to buy...LUXOR (I am also eye NARS Jungle Red Lipstick).
(I probably will be scoop this up next week with the VIB 20% discount event).